Wilson Central’s Lady Wildcats kept their hopes of defending the Ladies’ Classic crown alive with a well-earned 61-52 win over Prairie.

The Lady Wildcats (10-3) led by double figures as early as the first quarter but had to withstand a late challenge by the Lady Falcons (6-1)that saw it turn into a two-possession game with under a minute to go.

Jasmine Hassell scored 26 points and had six rebounds to lead the LadyWildcats. Wilson Central was up 18-8 by the end of the first and led30-18 at halftime.

Prairie inched back a bit in the third. A pair of 3-pointers by Lauren Wasson served Wilson Central well at the start of the fourth because the Lady Falcons cut it back to a 58-52 contest on a basket and one by Sarah Rebello with :48 remaining.

But Wilson Central was solid at the line in the closing seconds (hitting 62.5 percent). Hassell hit four-of-five at the stripe.

Ieshia Hassell scored 10 and had four rebounds for Wilson Central.

Heather Corral led Prairie with 14 points and four assists. She hit four 3-pointers.

Prairie (52): Gelhar 2-5 0-0 5, Heather Corral 5-11 0-0 14, Rebello 3-61-1 7, Sonners 3-8 0-0 7, Levanen 3-8 0-0 6, Munson 3-6 1-4 7,Prestwich 0-0 0-0 0, Goecke 2-3 2-3 6, Totals 21-47 4-8 52.

Wilson Central (61): Christopher 2-4 0-0 6, Jasmine Hassell 11-14 4-526, McGee 4-8 0-0 8, Peterson 1-3 0-0 2, Wright 0-0 0-0 0, IeshiaHassell 5-6 0-0 10, Wasson 3-3 1-3 9, Totals 26-38 5-8 61.

3-point goals: Prairie - 6 (Gelhar, Corral 4, Sonners). WC - 4 (Christopher 2, Wasson 2).

Score by quarters:

Prairie    8  10  18  16 -- 52

Wilson Central    18  12  17  14 -- 61